Stepped oil-cooler

ABSTRACT

A lubricant heat exchanger may include a mounting portion and a heat exchanger portion. The mounting portion may be configured to engage a first end of a lubricant filter and may include a fluid passage in fluid communication with the lubricant filter. The heat exchanger portion may extend from the mounting portion and may be configured to at least partially surround a circumferential surface of the lubricant filter. The mounting portion may engage the first end of the lubricant filter and provide fluid communication between the heat exchanger portion and the lubricant filter. The heat exchanger portion may include a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet and outlet being fluidly isolated from the lubricant filter.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an oil heat exchanger, and moreparticularly, to a stepped oil heat exchanger for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles typically include a lubrication system that circulates oilthrough an engine to lubricate moving parts therein. Such lubricationsystems may include an oil filter and an oil-cooler. The oil filter maybe operable to remove dirt, debris and impurities from the oil. Theoil-cooler may include a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the oilto a coolant, ambient air and/or another fluid.

SUMMARY

In one form, the present disclosure provides a lubricant heat exchangerthat may include a mounting portion and a heat exchanger portion. Themounting portion may be configured to engage a first end of a lubricantfilter and may include a fluid passage in fluid communication with thelubricant filter. The heat exchanger portion may extend from themounting portion and may be configured to at least partially surround acircumferential surface of the lubricant filter. The mounting portionmay engage the first end of the lubricant filter and provide fluidcommunication between the heat exchanger portion and the lubricantfilter. The heat exchanger portion may include a fluid inlet and a fluidoutlet. The fluid inlet and outlet being fluidly isolated from thelubricant filter.

The lubricant heat exchanger may include a coolant inlet port and acoolant outlet port in fluid communication with the heat exchangerportion.

The heat exchanger portion and the lubricant filter may extend from themounting portion in the same direction.

The lubricant filter may be mounted directly to the mounting portion andthe heat exchanger portion may be integrally formed with the mountingportion. The mounting portion may include a central aperture throughwhich lubricant communicates with the lubricant filter.

The heat exchanger portion may include a coolant passageway and alubricant passageway. The lubricant passageway may be in fluidcommunication with the lubricant filter. The lubricant-cooler mayinclude first and second layers disposed directly adjacent and in heattransfer relation with each other. The coolant passageway and thelubricant passageway may be at least partially defined by the secondlayer. The lubricant passageway may be in fluid communication with firstand second inlet passages in the mounting portion.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a vehicle that mayinclude an oil reservoir, an oil filter and an oil heat exchanger. Theoil reservoir may extend downward from an engine of the vehicle toward aground upon which the vehicle is normally situated. The oil filter maybe in fluid communication with the oil reservoir and may include firstand second ends and a circumferential surface disposed between the firstand second ends. The oil heat exchanger may include a heat exchangerportion and a mounting portion. The heat exchanger portion may extenddownward from the mounting portion toward the ground. The mountingportion may engage the first end of the oil filter such that the oilfilter extends longitudinally downward therefrom toward the ground andprovides fluid communication between the oil filter and the heatexchanger portion. The oil reservoir may extend further toward theground than the oil filter such that the second end of the oil filter issub-flush with a bottom surface of the oil reservoir.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings providedhereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description,including the disclosed embodiments and drawings, are merely exemplaryin nature intended for purposes of illustration only and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention, its application or use.Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure areintended to be within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle having a lubrication systemaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an oil pan, oil heat exchanger and oilfilter of the lubrication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the oil pan, oil heat exchanger and oil filterof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the oil heat exchanger according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the oil heat exchanger according to theprinciples of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the oil heat exchanger and the oilfilter according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an exemplary embodiment and with reference to FIGS. 1-6, alubrication system 10 for a vehicle 12 is provided that may include anoil reservoir or pan 14, an oil pump 16 (FIG. 1), an oil filter 18, anoil heat exchanger 20. The oil pan 14 may contain a volume of oil orother lubricating fluid and may be attached to an engine 24. The oil pan14 may be disposed generally beneath the engine 24 (i.e., between theengine 24 and a ground upon which the vehicle 12 is situated). The oilpump 16 can be powered by an electric motor or a crankshaft of theengine 24, for example, and may pump oil through the oil pan 14, the oilfilter 18, the oil heat exchanger 20, and engine 24. The oil heatexchanger 20 may be mounted to the oil pan 14 or to the engine 24proximate the oil pan 14, for example. The oil filter 18 may be mountedto the oil heat exchanger 20. Oil in the oil heat exchanger 20 may be inheat transfer relation with a fluid (e.g., a coolant, exhaust gas, etc.)to heat or cool the oil. As will be subsequently described, the oil heatexchanger 20 may be configured such that the oil filter 18 does notextend further toward the ground than the oil pan 14 such that a distalend of the oil filter 18 is sub-flush with a bottom surface 25 of theoil pan 14 to provide additional clearance between the ground andcomponents of the vehicle 12. A fluid pump 22 may circulate a coolant orother liquid and/or gaseous fluid through the oil heat exchanger 20 towarm the oil or remove heat from oil in the oil heat exchanger 20.

The oil filter 18 can be generally cylindrical and may include a housing26 defining a cavity 28 and having a first end 30, a second end 32 and acircumferential surface 34 extending between the first and second ends30, 32 (FIG. 6). A first inlet 36, a second inlet 38, and an outlet 40may extend through the housing 26 at the second end 32. An annularfilter element 42 may be disposed within the cavity 28 and may define acentral aperture 44. The filter element 42 may be in fluid communicationwith the first and second inlets 36, 38. The central aperture 44 may begenerally axially aligned with the outlet 40 and may be in communicationwith the outlet 40.

The oil heat exchanger 20 may include a mounting portion 50 and a heatexchanger portion 52. The mounting portion 50 and the heat exchangerportion 52 may be integrally formed with each other to form a steptherebetween. That is, the mounting portion 50 may be recessed relativeto the heat exchanger portion 52. In some embodiments, the mountingportion 50 and the heat exchanger portion 52 may be distinct componentsthat are fixed to each other for fluid communication therebetween.

The mounting portion 50 may include first and second sides 51, 53, firstand second feed passages 54, 56 and an outlet passage 58. The second end32 of the oil filter 18 may directly or indirectly engage the first side51 of the mounting portion 50 such that the first and second inlets 36,38 of the oil filter 18 may be in fluid communication with the first andsecond feed passages 54, 56, respectively. The outlet 40 of the oilfilter 18 may be in fluid communication with the outlet passage 58 ofthe mounting portion 50. In some embodiments, an annular fitting 60 mayengage the outlet 40 and the outlet passage 58 (e.g., via a snap fit,threaded engagement, etc.) to secure the oil filter 18 to the oil heatexchanger 20. The second side 53 of the mounting portion 50 may beattached to the oil pan 14 for fluid communication therebetween suchthat oil from the oil pan 14 may flow into the first feed passage 54.The outlet passage 58 may be fluidly coupled with the oil pan 14 and/orthe engine 24 such that oil exiting the oil heat exchanger 20 throughthe outlet passage 58 can flow back to the oil pan 14 and/or the engine24.

The mounting portion 50 may also include first, second and third plates62, 64, 66. The first and second plates 62, 64 may cooperate to form anoil-supply passage 68 therebetween. The second and third plates 64, 66may cooperate to form an oil-return passage 70 therebetween. The first,second and third plates 62, 64, 66 and the oil-supply and oil-returnpassages 68, 70 may extend into and/or form a part of the heat exchangerportion 52.

The heat exchanger portion 52 may extend from the mounting portion 50and may define an arcuate portion 72 that may at least partiallysurround the circumferential surface 34 of the oil filter 18 and thefirst side 51 of the mounting portion 50. The heat exchanger portion 52may include a plurality of fourth plates 74 that may cooperate to form aplurality of oil-circulation passages 76 and a plurality offluid-circulation passages 78. The plurality of fourth plates 74 may bestacked or layered relative to each other such that the oil-circulationand fluid-circulation passages 76, 78 are arranged in an alternatingsequence. That is, each one of the fluid-circulation passages 78 may bedisposed directly between adjacent oil-circulation passages 76. All ofthe oil-circulation passages 76 may be in fluid communication with eachother and with the oil-supply passage 68 and the oil-return passage 70via a plurality of oil-communication passages 80 (FIGS. 5 and 6) thatmay extend substantially perpendicular relative to the passages 68, 70,76. In this manner, the oil pump 16, the oil pan 14, the oil-supplypassage 68, the oil filter 18, the oil-return passage 70, the oilcirculation passages 76, and the oil-communication passages 80 maycooperate to form an oil circuit. In another embodiment, thefluid-circulation passages 76, 78 may be integrated into the mountingportion 50 of the cooler.

All of the fluid-circulation passages 78 may be in fluid communicationwith each other via a plurality of fluid-communication passages 82 (FIG.5) that may extend substantially perpendicular relative to thefluid-circulation passages 78. A fluid inlet port 84 and a fluid outletport 86 may extend from the heat exchanger portion 52 and may be influid communication with the fluid-circulation passages 78, thefluid-communication passages 82, and the fluid pump 22. The fluid pump22 may be fluidly coupled with the fluid inlet and outlet ports 84, 86via fluid conduits 88 (FIG. 1). In this manner, the fluid pump 22, thefluid inlet and outlet ports 84, 86, the fluid-circulation passages 78,the fluid-communication passages 82 and the fluid conduits 88 maycooperate to form a fluid circuit that is fluidly isolated from the oilcircuit. While the fluid-circulation passages 78 and thefluid-communication passages 82 may be fluidly isolated from theoil-circulation passages 76, the oil-communication passages 80, theoil-supply passage 68 and the oil-return passage 70, fluid flowingthrough the fluid-circulation passages 78 may transfer heat to or absorbheat from oil flowing through the oil-circulation passages 76. In someembodiments, the fluid circuit could include a radiator, coolantpassages in the engine 24, an engine-exhaust conduit, and/or othercomponents in communication with the oil heat exchanger 20.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, operation of the lubricationsystem 10 will be described in detail. The oil pump 16 may circulate oilor any other lubricant between the oil pan 14 and the engine 24 to cooland lubricate moving parts within the engine 24. The oil heat exchanger20 may receive a portion of the oil in the oil pan 14. This oil may bepumped from the oil pan 14 to the first feed passages 54. From the firstfeed passage 54, a first portion of the oil may flow into first inlet 36of the oil filter 18 and a second portion of the oil may flow into thefirst oil-supply passage 68. From the first inlet 36, the first portionof the oil may flow into the filter element 42, where dirt, debrisand/or impurities may be removed therefrom.

The second portion of the oil may flow from the first oil-supply passage68, into the plurality of oil-circulation passages 76 and theoil-communication passages 80 in the heat exchanger portion 52. From theoil-circulation passages 76 and oil-communication passages 80, thesecond portion of the oil may flow through the oil-return passage 70 tothe second feed passage 56 in the mounting portion. From the second feedpassage 56, the second portion of the oil may flow into the second inlet38 in the oil filter 18 and into the filter element 42.

Dirt, debris and/or other impurities may be filtered from the oil as theoil flows through the filter element 42. From the filter element 42, thefirst and second portions of the oil may flow into the central aperture44, through the outlet passage 58, and back to the engine 24 and/or theoil pan 14.

While the oil is being pumped throughout the engine 24, oil pan 14, oilfilter 18 and oil heat exchanger 20, fluid may be pumped by the fluidpump 22 to the inlet port 84 and into the fluid-circulation passages 78.Fluid flowing through the fluid-circulation passages 78 may transferheat to or absorb heat from the oil in the oil-circulation passages 76.From the fluid-circulation passages 78, the fluid may flow out of theoil heat exchanger 20 through the outlet port 86. In some embodiments,the fluid may flow from the outlet port 86 to coolant passages (notshown) in the engine 24 and/or other vehicle components to absorb heattherefrom. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid may flow to aradiator (not show) or other heat exchanger to transfer heat from thefluid to ambient air, for example. The fluid may then return to thefluid pump 22. In other embodiments, relatively hot coolant from thecoolant passages in the engine 24 may flow from the engine 24 to the oilheat exchanger 20 to transfer heat from the coolant to the oil in theoil heat exchanger 20.

In some embodiments, the fluid inlet and outlet ports 84, 86, thefluid-circulation passages 78, the fluid-communication passages 82 andthe fluid conduits 88 may form a fluid circuit in fluid communicationwith an exhaust system (not shown) associated with the engine 24. Insuch embodiments, relatively warm exhaust gas from the exhaust systemmay be selectively supplied to the inlet port 84. The exhaust gas maythen flow through the oil heat exchanger 20 and transfer heat to oiltherein, thereby warming the oil. It will be appreciated that otherliquid and/or gaseous fluids could be supplied to the fluid circuit toheat or cool the oil in the oil heat exchanger 20.

As described above, the first side 51 of the mounting portion 50 may berecessed relative to the heat exchanger portion 52, and the arcuateportion 72 may extend at least partially around the circumferentialsurface 34 of the oil filter 18. This configuration allows the oilfilter 18 to be mounted directly to the oil heat exchanger 20 withoutthe need for an adapter or oil tubes that extend between prior art oilfilters and oil-coolers. Furthermore, mounting the oil filter 18 to thefirst side 51 of the mounting portion 50 may allow the oil filter 18 tobe sub-flush with the bottom surface 25 of the oil pan 14 (as shown inFIG. 2). That is, the oil pan 14 may extend downward toward the groundupon which the vehicle 12 is normally situated further than the oilfilter 18. In this manner, the structure of the oil heat exchanger 20may provide additional ground-clearance for the vehicle 12, which may beespecially advantageous for off-road and/or all-terrain vehicles, suchas sport-utility vehicles, for example.

While the lubrication system 10 is described above as filtering, coolingor heating, and circulating oil, it will be appreciated that the oilfilter 18 and/or oil heat exchanger 20 could be used to filter and heator cool any type of lubricant or any other fluid. Furthermore, while theoil heat exchanger 20 is described above as receiving coolant therein toabsorb heat from the lubricant, in some embodiments, water or any otherfluid may be used to absorb heat from the lubricant in addition to or inthe alternative to the coolant. It will be appreciated that in someembodiments, the oil filter 18 and/or the oil heat exchanger 20 could beintegrated into a lubrication system of any type of land, marine and/oraerial vehicle, for example, or any other machine or device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lubricant heat exchanger comprising: a mountingportion being configured to engage a first end of a lubricant filter andincluding a fluid passage in fluid communication with the lubricantfilter; and a heat exchanger portion extending from the mounting portionand configured to at least partially surround a circumferential surfaceof the lubricant filter, the mounting portion engaging the first end ofthe lubricant filter and providing fluid communication between the heatexchanger portion and the lubricant filter, the heat exchanger portionincluding a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet and outletbeing fluidly isolated from the lubricant filter.
 2. The lubricant heatexchanger of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is disposed generallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the circumferential surface. 3.The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchangerportion and the lubricant filter extend from the mounting portion in thesame direction.
 4. The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein thelubricant filter is mounted directly to the mounting portion and theheat exchanger portion is integrally formed with the mounting portion.5. The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the mounting portionincludes a central aperture through which oil communicates with thelubricant filter.
 6. The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 1, whereinthe heat exchanger portion includes a coolant passageway and a lubricantpassageway, the coolant passageway being in fluid communication with thefluid inlet and outlet in the heat exchanging portions, the lubricantpassageway being in fluid communication with the lubricant filter. 7.The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the heat exchangerportion includes first and second layers disposed directly adjacent andin heat transfer relation with each other, the coolant passageway andthe lubricant passageway being at least partially defined by the secondlayer.
 8. The lubricant heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the lubricantpassageway is in communication with first and second inlet passages inthe mounting portion.
 9. A lubrication system including the lubricantheat exchanger of claim 1 and further comprising a lubricant reservoirto which the lubricant heat exchanger is mounted.
 10. The lubricationsystem of claim 9, wherein the lubricant reservoir extends downward froman engine of a vehicle toward a ground upon which the vehicle issituated and the lubricant filter extends longitudinally downward fromthe lubricant heat exchanger toward the ground.
 11. The lubricationsystem of claim 10, wherein the lubricant reservoir extends furthertoward the ground than the lubricant filter such that the second end ofthe lubricant filter is sub-flush with a bottom surface of the lubricantreservoir.
 12. A lubrication system for a vehicle comprising: an oilreservoir extending downward from an engine of the vehicle toward aground upon which the vehicle is normally situated; an oil filter influid communication with the oil reservoir and having first and secondends and a circumferential surface disposed between the first and secondends; and an oil heat exchanger including a heat exchanger portion and amounting portion, the heat exchanger portion extending downward from themounting portion toward the ground, the mounting portion engaging thefirst end of the oil filter such that the oil filter extendslongitudinally downward therefrom toward the ground and provides fluidcommunication between the oil filter and the heat exchanger portion,wherein the oil reservoir extends further toward the ground than the oilfilter such that the second end of the oil filter is sub-flush with abottom surface of the oil reservoir.
 13. The lubrication system of claim12, wherein the heat exchanger portion at least partially surrounds thecircumferential surface of the oil filter.
 14. The lubrication system ofclaim 12, wherein the oil filter is mounted directly to the oil heatexchanger.
 15. The lubrication system of claim 14, wherein the oilfilter is mounted directly to the mounting portion and the heatexchanger portion is integrally formed with the mounting portion. 16.The lubrication system of claim 12, wherein the mounting portionincludes a central aperture through which oil communicates with the oilfilter.
 17. The lubrication system of claim 12, wherein the heatexchanger portion includes a heat-exchanging-fluid passageway and an oilpassageway, the oil passageway being in fluid communication with the oilfilter.
 18. The lubrication system of claim 17, wherein the oil heatexchanger includes first and second layers disposed directly adjacentand in heat transfer relation with each other, the heat-exchanging-fluidpassageway and the oil passageway being at least partially defined bythe second layer.
 19. The lubricant system of claim 18, wherein the oilpassageway is in communication with first and second inlet passages inthe mounting portion.
 20. The lubrication system of claim 12, whereinthe oil heat exchanger includes a heat-exchanging-fluid inlet port and aheat-exchanging-fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the heatexchanger portion.